Peekapoo

The Peekapoo is a cross breed between the Pekingese and the Miniature or Toy Poodle. Peekapoos are mostly first-generation cross, i.e. their parents are purebred. A multigenerational breeding between Peekapoo to Peekapoo is rare.
These dogs are small by size and are covered with small or medium to long fur-like hair. They have a small face, with a triangular muzzle and come in varied colors. They make a wonderful companion dog and are quite protective of the people they love. This makes it hilarious for a dog of such a small size.

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History

The exact origin of the peekapoo is not known. Researchers believe that, this breed is an accidental cross between the Poodle and the Pekingese dog. It has also been suggested that, the Pekingese and the poodle breeders wanted to try their luck, trying to cross between the two breeds.

No sooner did the peekapoo originate in the United States in the 1950s than it became popular as a pet for its adorable disposition and wondrous appearance.

Temperament and Behavior

Peekapoos are somewhat timid. They are not too comfortable with unknown people. Like their Pekingese parent, they would try to protect their family members and would even growl or warn-bark at strangers, strange noises and other dogs. Thus they make a good watchdog as well.

These dogs are also prone to biting other animals or people if they come near to their food. However, they are known for their loyalty and love for their owners. They would take an active part in its family as its member as also love to cuddle on the lap of their loved ones. They are intelligent and love to learn new things and play with the family kids. The enjoy entertaining their owners with playful antics.

Being a companion dog, the peekapoo would always try to be with you, and if kept regularly separated for longer periods of time, they might suffer from separation anxiety, ultimately leading to excessive barking and chewing habits.

Care

Peekapoos are energetic dogs and are in motion all day. So, a very little exercise is enough for this little dog. Take them out once a day for a moderate walking session.

Allow them to play with their toys or with children in an enclosed area, supposedly safe for them. However, they are apartment dogs and love to live inside their homes most of the time. Do not take them out in too much hot or cold weather conditions.

Peekapoos do not have an undercoat, and they shed too less. Brush their hair regularly to keep the fur in good shape and retain the gloss. This also keeps away matting and dead hairs. Bathe them once a week to ensure cleanliness. Their hair grows very slowly, hence an occasional trimming is enough for them. Also, clean their eyes every day to avoid dark patches around its eyes from eye secretion. Trim their nails whenever they tend to be long.This breed tends to inherit the diseases and problems from their parents. They are also prone to develop respiratory issues. Keep them in an air-conditioned room during the hot summer months.

Training

Training the peekapoo is easy, but might demand patience, since the results come gradually. But training the peekapoo is fun especially because they are intelligent by nature. If you can assert yourself as the leader of its ‘pack’, it would respond briskly.

Harness your dog with positive and gentle reinforcement methods, since harsh training methods wouldn’t give you prompt results. Pikapoos would rather respond well to firm but gentle techniques. Treats and rewards should also make your training efforts a success.

Crate training is important. But keeping it in its crate all day is also not advisable, since they need their space to hop and play around.

Diet/Feeding

The general quantity of your pikapoo’s diet is the same as other dogs of its size and energy levels. But if you rely upon dry foods like dog kibbles, the quantity depends on the brand of food you are serving to your pikapoo. The average recommended amount for your dog is ¼ to ¾ cup of dry food, divided into two equal meals.

Interesting Facts

From the largest to the smallest, Peekapoos are sometimes sub-classified as Miniature Peekapoo, Toy Peekapoo, and Teacup Peekapoo.

The size of a pikapoo is unpredictable, depending mostly on the size of its poodle parent (whether its parent was miniature, toy, or teacup).

The Peekapoo carries the royal blood in the sense that, their parent breed Pekingese were only owned by the emperor. If the subjects were found to have one, the penalty of possessing it was death.

Some breeders allow crossing a peekapoo with a Poodle or a Pekingese, which is called a backcross.

The peekapoo is an exceptionally hypoallergenic breed, preferred by most allergy sufferers.

Different clubs have recognized the breed in many different names like, the American Canine Hybrid Club recognized it as ‘Peke-A-Poo’, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club calls it ‘Peke-A-Poo’, while the Designer Breed Registry has named it as ‘Peke a Poo’, and the International Designer Canine Registry has registered it in its common name ‘Peekapoo’.

This designer dog has mostly remained as a first-generation cross.

Weather extremities like too much heat, cold, or humidity might affect the general mood and health of the sensitive Peekapoo.